SCIE Research briefing 27: Factors that assist early identification of children in need in integrated or inter-agency settings

By Denise Wolstenholme, Jane Boylan and Diane Roberts

Published August 2008

Introduction

This briefing considers the refocusing of
children’s services in England and Wales
towards
prevention and early identification of children
in
need of protection and support. The policy vision
for this is Every Child Matters.
However, the
refocusing
of children’s services needs
to be
located in debates in the mid-1990s concerning
the direction and development of childcare
policy and practice
and the wider inclusion agenda.
The philosophy underpinning Every Child Matters
and the Children Act 2004 is that children’s
welfare and wellbeing can be safeguarded through
collaborative practice, integrated service provision
and early intervention of need. Both aim to ensure
that all children are given the support and protection
they need to promote and safeguard their
welfare. The primary focus of the briefing will
be
to highlight those factors which research
suggests assist the early identification of need.

For the purposes of this briefing, ‘early’ is
taken
to refer to the point in time at which a child
of
any age becomes vulnerable to poor
developmental outcomes
rather than solely in their early years. This will
include both universal and targeted provision for
children and their families. The briefing does
not evaluate interventions, specifically consider
measures taken after the point of identification,
or the position in those parts of the UK subject
to other legislation or devolved
administrations.

Key messages

Early identification of need is important
in promoting and safeguarding children’s
wellbeing and welfare.

Early identification can be defined in
a variety of ways.

The use of risk factors as indicators
of
potential need is problematic as their
impact and interaction is complex.

Effective inter-professional
communication and cooperation is
central to the promotion of children’s
wellbeing.

Informed strategic planning and
supportive management is fundamental
to the delivery of efficient and effective
preventative services.

Services must respond to the diverse
needs of children and families.

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